Luminous device



Aprifi 21, 1925. 1,534,937

H. FOLEY LUMINOUS DEVICE Filed Jan. 24, 1920 JIM/1111125 Patented Apr. 21, 1925.

UNITED STATES \PAZTENT OFFICE.

HAMILTON FOLEY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO RADIUM DIAL- COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

LUMINOU-S DEVICE.

Application filed January 24, 1920. Serial- No. 353,788.

To, all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HAMILTON FOLEY, a. citizen of the United States, and a resident of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Luminous Devices; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as'will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in luminous devices and more particularly to such as are adaptable for use to illuminate portions of surfaces or bodies, such as gun sights, gages, dials, push buttons and other objects having exposed surface portions, the object of the invention being to provide a luminous device for the purpose stated in which luminous material shall be hermetically sealed within a container and the latter adapted to be inserted into a socket in the object to which it may be desired to apply the said luminous device.

A further object is to provide a luminous.

device comprising a glass body portion provided at one end with a lens and containing luminous material behind the lens.

With these and other objects in view, the

invention consists in certain novel features as hereinafter set forth and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings; Figure 1 is a view of a luminous device showing an embodiment of my invention, said view being on an enlarged or exaggerated scale, and Figure 2 is a similar view showing a modification.

1 represents a miniature glass tube the outer end of which is closed in such manner as to form a lens 2, which latter may be made by properly manipulating the tube in a suitable flame. The lens 2 may thus be made an integral part of the tube. The tube 1 constitutes a container for luminous material 3 which is inserted therein in a manner to become disposed immediately behind the lens. The luminousmaterial may consist of phosphorescent zinc sulphide, and an infinitesimal quantity of radio-active material, such as a radium salt or compound, mixed with the zinc sulphide to activate and render the whole continuously luminous. Such luminous compound may be used in small quantity and may be held in place spaced from the inner end of the tube by a small disk 4 of asbestos. After the luminous material and theasbestos disk shall have forming the lens 2 by fusing the end of the tube, I may make the lens separate from the tube and fuse or otherwise unite it to the latter, as shown at 6, Figure 2.

My improved luminous device is quite small and the luminous material is eflectually protected. The device is applicable for use with numerous articles where illumination of a surface or other part is desired, and it may be inserted into a socket in the device to be illuminated and secured in such socket by cement or otherwise. The lens at the exposed end of the tube serves greatly to enhance the luminosity of the device and renders the latter eminently efficient for illuminating such objects as gun sights, dials, push buttons, gages and various other devices.

My improvement is especially eflicient during the twilight hours preceding the rising and succeeding the setting of the sun.

Having fully described my invention what.

contained within the tube behind the lens,

and asbestos material in the tube behind the lens.

3. A luminous device comprising a hermetically sealed tube provided at its outer end with a lens, self luminous material in the tube and against the lens to be viewed through the lens whereby the latter acts to collect the light rays.

LA luminous device comprising a hermetically sealed tube provided at its outer end with a lens, self luminous material partially filling the tube and against the lens to be viewed through'the lens whereby the latter acts to collect the light rays, and a suitable means in the tube behind the self 7 luminous material to hold the same in place relative to the lens.

5. Means for illuminating the surface of nated, said container being provided with a lens at one end to be exposed ad'acent to the part to be illuminated, and self uminous material in the container at its lens end so that the lens will collect the light rays and I HAMILTON FOLEY. Witnesses W. R. BAUM, R S. Fmzooson. 

